Invalid lifter and carrier device



Sept. 15,1931. F. K. DAVIS 1,323,425

I INVALID LIFTER AND CARRIER DEVICE Filed July 1929 2 Sheets-Shem 1 FIG. 1.

'I IH IM gmuz'ntoz FRA NK K. DA /13 Sept. 15, 1931. F. K. DAVIS INVALID LIFTER AND CARRIER DEVICE gmmu Filed Jlly 24, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet FRANK K DA v/s Patented Sept. 15, 193i UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK K. DAVIS,OF'MUNCIE, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO WILLIAM WEBSTER BISHOP, OF MUN CIE, INDIANA INVALID LIFTER AND CARRIER nnvrcn Application filed July 24, 1929. Serial No. 380,498.

This invention relates to improvements in utility devices foru'se in hospitals and other places where invalids. or patients are interned, such devices being intended for the lifting of patients from their beds and carrying them to other beds, or to such other destination as may bedesired.

, My invention, which may be designated as, an invalid lifter and carrier, is of the type which comprises a wheeled frame having a body portion adapted to extend underneath the bed, upright members with head portions to extendabove the bed, a stretcher, a supporting device therefor, a winch, and pulley and cable connections between the winch and thestretcher supporting device and by which the latter may be raised and lowered.

Advantages to-be desired in an invention of this kind are that the necessity of a separate portable supporting frame for the stretcher may be eliminated andthat the apparatus in its entirety may be convenientlyand easily manipulated; and the work of positioning the stretcher, and of disposing the patient thereon, or removlng him therefrom, may be, simplified. Moreover,

that the stretcher may be held against vibration or swinging, While the vehicle is being moved. i

The above named general, and also certain specific advantages, are, accomplished by'andmy invention isembodied in the new construction, combination and arrangement of par-tsdescribed'in the following specification, and illustrated in the accompanying is subject to general and specific modificadpawings.

It will beunderstood that Whereas I have shown a preferred form of construction, it

tions, within the scope of 'the invention. as defined by the appended claims.-

The several parts of the invention'are identified by suitable characters of refer ence applied to them in the annexed drawings: in which Figure l is afrontview of my improved I lifter and carrier device, a portion of the stretcher being broken away.

Figure 2 is a rear view of Figure 1.

Figure 3' is an end view of the invention as seen in the direction of arrow 3 in F igure 2, a portion of one of the upright frame members being broken away.

Figure 4 is a sectional top plan view taken on line 44c in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is an enlarged detail view of the winding drum and winchdevice;

Figure 6 is an enlarged View of a portion of one of the upright frame members, showing the retainer rod and a portion of the side of the stretchers Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary view, showing one of the cable hook members in position engaged with the eyelet of the stretcher.

ed to be connectedto, and disconnected from said stretcher. Alsocarried by the vehicle are brackets adapted to be swung to extended positions to support the stretcher independently of the cables, if such support for any special requirements as hereinafter mentioned, may be desired.

In addition to the general features of my invention as above broadly set forth, my invention also comprises structural improve ments whereby the several parts are capable of being economically manufactured, and of being easily and economically assembled, and whereby the apparatus in its entirety is relatively light in weight, and is strong, durable, and easy to handle. In this specification, the invention is embodied in'a form of structure suitable for use in connection with hospital beds in which the'mattresses are of a height of about thirty to thirtyfour inches above the floor.

, pivots of the casters 7 are journaled. Up-

rights 10 which also are U shaped in cross section and are of the suitable height as shown, have their lower portions secured to the base members 1 and 2; their upper and head portions being projected to a position perpendicularly above the center line of the said base.

Stay rods lland 12 and spaced as shown in Figure 2 have their threaded ends passed through holes therefor in the uprights and they are secured by nuts 14. Double grooved pulleys 16 and 17 are journaled 1n the upper and head portion, respectively, of the said uprights. In boxings 20 and 20 which are secured to the body portions of the uprights, a shaft 21 is ournaled. Upon each end of this shaft is a drum 22. :Two pairs of cables wound on-these drums have their freeends trained over the pulleys 16 and 17 and they are provided with hooks 23 of the formation shown in Figure 7. In a casement 26, which is secured at a suitable position on one of theuprights, a gea ring 27, which is capable of being actuated n either direction by a hand wheel 28, is in mesh with a pinion 29 which is secured to shaft 21. v I

The cables are retained normally at the reeled-in status shown, by having the hooks thereof engaged with recesses or apertures 30, provided therefor in the upper portions of the uprights. Threaded through a lug 32 on each of the uprights, a smooth retainer rod 31 is retained, at adjusted vertical position, by a set nut 33. 7 r

The stretcher consists of a light sheet metal plate 34 having its edges curled over and bound to a frame consisting of a wire 34a. Suitable dimensions for this stretcher are, length-seventy-two inches, and width twenty-seven inches. Special marginal apertures constitute eyelets 35 and 36 in the sides of the stretcher. In the present instance and in accordance with the vehicle frame construction shown, two of these eyelets in each side of the stretcher are sufiicient.

The stretcher having the eyelets of one side in loose engagement with the retainer rods, rests with its lower edge on the base members 1 and 2 of the frame. The stretcher in this position is in out-of-the-way On suitable hinge lugs 10a provided on each of the uprights 10, a bracket having a horizontal arm 37 is hinged. Helical springs 38, between the lugs, and the heads of the hinge pins 39 hold the hinge parts in such frictional coengagem'ent, that the brackets stay put, either in the retracted status shown, or in the extended position indicated by the dot-ted lines in Figure 4. I

In merchandising my invention, the base members and casters; the brackets; the stretcher; the uprights with their connected parts; the strut rods and binding nuts; and the winch shaft; all of which are finished in suitable enamel, constitute assemblies which are adapted to be easilyput together by a person of only ordinary skill. I The construction thus provided is capable of being easily kept clean and in sanitary condition, and is strong, and durable, and relatively light inf"- weight.

The device having been moved to position adjacent to the bed, the base portion of the frame being underneath, and the head por tions of the uprights being above the bed; the free side of the stretcher is disposed on the edge portion of the mattress. The stretcher is then manipulated to such extent as may be necessary, concurrently with the easing of the patient over onto same. When" the patient will have been disposed upon the stretcher, the hooks of the cables are then engaged in the eyelets of the stretcher. Then by operating the hand wheel 28, the stretcher with the patient thereon may be lifted to a height necessary to clear the bed. The stretcher having its one side in connection with the retainer rods 31, it is held against swaying movement while the vehicle is being moved. To dispose the patient on the bed, the vehicle is so disposed that in lowering the stretcher it will come to rest on the bed at such position relative thereto as may be desired. The hooks are then detached andv then by operating the hand wheel, the cables are raised. The hooks may be then engaged with the apertures 30 therefor whence they are out of the way. Then by suitable manipulation of the usual draw sheet of the bed, and of the stretcher, the patient 'will' have been removed from the stretcher to position on the bed, with relative ease and a minimum of inconvenience or discomfort.

In instances where especial or unusual manipulation of the stretcher is required, it may be detached temporarily from the retainer rods. 7 In such instances it is of'course necessary, in the liftingoperati0n,to ele-. vate the stretcher to a height above the re tainer rods, so that in lowering same, the eyelets may become engaged therewith.

In instances where the destination of the patient is the operating table, or such other place as may require the support of the stretcher at position adjacent thereto while the patient is being shifted, then the brackets are disposed at the extended position inclicated in Figure 4 by the dotted lines. The stretcher may then be lowered to position of repose thereon, the said stretcher being either engaged with or disengaged from the retainer rods, as may be desired. By then removing the hooks and raising the cables, all parts of the stretcher are accessible for of cables trained over each of the said pul leys said cables having hooks thereon to be attached to and detached from the eyelets of said stretcher, a shaft having its end portions journaled in the uprights and having drums thereon to which the said cables are attached, and hand operable means operable to actuate the said shaft.

FRANK K. DAVIS.

moving same to any position, or to connecting it by its eyelets 36 to the side of the surgeons operating table.

The invention being composed of the several assemblies as hereinbefore referred to, it is capable of being handled in the merchandising of same, in dis-assembled status, and transported in containers of conventional dimensions. The erecting of the structure may be done easily and ordinary tools only are required. Whereas the invention is specified herein as being especially for use in hospitals, it may be used as a convenient and practicable lifting and transporting device for an article or articles of any description, which are to be lifted and transported from an elevated platform.

In constructing the invention, it is obvious that modifications may be made in the structural details, and in the arrangement of the several parts, within the scope of the invention as it is defined in the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages.

What I claim as myinvention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A lifter and carrier device of the kind described, comprising a vehicle having a horizontal base portion and which is supported on casters, uprights secured to said base and whose head portions extend to position perpendicularly above the said base, a

stretcher having eyelets in the marginal portions of each side thereof, retainer rods on the uprights adapted .to be engaged by the eyelets of one side of the stretcher. Stay rods between the said uprights, a longitudinal shaft having its end portions journaled in the uprights, and being provided at each end with a winding drum, sheave pulleys in the head portions of the uprights, a pair of cables wound on each drum and which are trained over said sheaves, hand operable gearing to actuate the said shaft, and hooks on the free ends of said cables.

2. A. lifter and carrier device for invalids, comprising a wheeled vehicle having a base portion adapted to extend under a bed, and uprights having head portions to extend to position above the bed, a stretcher having eyelets in the marginal portions of each side thereof, retainer rods on the uprights adapted to be engaged by the eyelets of one side of the stretcher, a sheave pulley in the head portion of each of the said uprights, a pair 

